Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 2577, John Gorden, Penn.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Penn.
Gorden, John
S. 2577
Carded
CONTENTS

13. 064 Ohio. Pittsburgh.
John Gordon.
of Trumbull Co. in the State of Ohio. who was a Private in the Comp y . commanded by Captain Haynet of the _____ commander by _____ on the Penna. Militia line for 6 mos. & 27 days.
$23.
Inscribed on the Roll of Ohio Pensions at the rate of 23. Dollars 00 Cents per annum to commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 9. day of May 30 and sent to Mrs. Ruth Sutherland J.C. Ohio.
Arrears to the 14th of March, 1833. 46.00 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 Sept. 33. 11.50
$57.50
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by M. Palmer Clerk Book 6. Vol. 8. Page 112
Date of death not on file

No. 223 / 3,064
John Gordon Trumbull Co. Ohio
How for 6. Months 82 days from 1782.
Also under Sutherland Sutherland Post Office Co. as above

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
183
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: { ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, shewing the Service of John Gerdan
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served. Names and Rank of the General and Field officers. Battles in which the applicant was engaged. Country through which he marched. Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period. Evidence by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     May 17 31 drf. 6 27 Private Capt Hays Capt Shyles D. Pruffington Col Hays Webb 13 years Lancaster Penns a  Taxation {  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS, Commissioner of Pensions.

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c. Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of Private Armed Vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
 1. The Regular Troops.  2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.  3. Persons employed in the Naval service.  4. Indian Spies. 
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons, claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of } ss. County of }
On this _____ day of _____ personally appeared (a) before A. B. a resident (b) of _____ in the county of _____ and State, Territory or District of _____ aged (c) _____ years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) _____, with _____ and served in the _____ (e) regiment of the _____ line, under the following named officers:
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers,) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. [This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of _____
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I _____ of the Court of _____ do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of _____ for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this _____ day of _____ &c.
If, on examination of the proper record the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the _____ and C. D. residing in (the same) _____ hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with _____, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be _____ years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B. _____ who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in the _____ and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the _____ and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, _____ Clerk of the Court of _____ do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of _____ for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this _____ day of _____ &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person

will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County, in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following ( m ) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
 1. Where and in what year were you born?  2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?  3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?  4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?  5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.  6. { To a Soldier. { Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given and what has become of it? { To an Officer. { Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?  7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution. 
The Court will see that he answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons - one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify, to the character and standing of other persons, giving such certificates.
The traditional evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:—For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____. For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase "about three or four months," is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Proof of Service.
[j] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
□ The notes from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[k] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[l] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

Applicant
John Gooden
24223

The State of Ohio Tournbull county ss
On this twentyth day of March in the year one thousand eight hundred and thirty three Personally appeared in open court, before the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas now sitting, John Gordon a resident of Boardman in the County of Tournbull and State of Ohio aged seventy three years on the seventeenth day of March (1833) now last, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named Officers and served as herein stated.
At about the age of 18 years was enrolled in the First Company under Capt Slaymaker (in the township of Salisbury in Lancaster County Pennsylvania in the place of his then residence) 2 nd Battalion of said Lancaster County Militia, after said enrollment did several short tours of duty as a Militia private for short periods but now imperfectly recollected. The principal service this Applicant performed was as he now verily believes some time after Gen. Burgoyne surrendered the Army under his command to the American arms, and the prisoners marched to Lancaster in the State of Pennsylvania That he was drafted to form a Guard to said Prisoners some time in April or May 1781 as he now supposes as he was yet in said service when the news came to Lancaster of the surrender of Cornwallis, and well remembers the illumination of the Town and even the Barracks of the Prisoners.
That about the said month of April or perhaps the early part of May 1781 This Applicant belonging to the 3 rd Class of said 1 st Company, 2 nd Battalion of Lancaster County Militia was drafted for six months to form a Guard to the British then prisoners at Lancaster. Capt Slaymaker commanded said first Company, and Capt Styles of the same Battalion took the command of the Drafted Men and this Applicant served two months under said Capt. Styles, at the end of which said two months Capt Styles went home and Capt Slaymaker took the command and he served Capt Slaymaker under other two Months but having received (some hurt) also went home and the Company was then commanded by Lieutenant Buffington under whom this Applicant served two more months
(continued next page)

and twenty seven days, making in the whole of said term Six Months and twenty seven days , during which said service he was commanded by Col. Houbely (as he thinks his name was pronounced), Col. Bays of the same County at the same time commanded a detachment of Militia from Lancaster County with the American forces against the enemy. Who the General Officer was, that the charge of those prisoners were confided to this Applicant cannot now recollect. And at the end of said term of six months and twenty seven days was fully discharged by said Col. Houbely, and only received for his said service two months pay. But by either neglect or accident has lost his said discharge. During the service aforesaid this Applicant was not in any battle, as the service was not such as made it necessary to engage the enemy. The Regular troops stationed to form the Guard to which the Militia was attached were commanded by Officers, which this Applicant is now unable to name having entirely forgotten their names and rank.
He has no documentary evidence and that he knows of no person now living whose testimony he can procure who can testify to his service. That he has resided in this County since 1802. —
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares, that his name is not on the Pension Roll of the agency of any State or Foreign Territory.
Sworn and Subscribed, the day and year John Gordon aforesaid
George Parsons Clerk
We Eli Baldwin of Boardman in the County of Summit one of the associate judges of the Court of Common Pleas for said County and John C. Woodruff of said Boardman one of the Commissioners for said County hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with John Gordon who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, and that we believe him to be seventy three years of age; and that he is respected and believed, in the neighbourhood where he resides, to have been a Soldier of the Revolution and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and Subscribed, the day and year aforesaid this twenty second day of March 1833
George Parsons Clerk
Eli Baldwin
John C. Woodruff
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above Applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further

certifies, that it appears to them that the Hon. E. Baldwin an Associate Judge of the Court of Common Pleas for said Trumbull County and that John C. Wrennoff one of the Commissioners for said County, both residents of Boardman aforesaid, whose names are signed to the certificate aforesaid are credible persons and that their Statement is entitled to credit.
I George Parsons Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for the County of Trumbull aforesaid do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of John Gerder for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of Office this twentieth day of March one thousand eight hundred and thirty three.
George Parsons Clerk

March 23, 1936
XXXXXXXXXXXX
RA-J/REL 2597 John Gordon-S.2477
Mrs. R. Winnagle 285 Washington Street, N.W. Warren, Ohio
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War records of Thomas Gordon, who served from Pennsylvania and died in Trumbull County, Ohio; Colonel John Gordon, of Pennsylvania, who died in Trumbull County, Ohio; and Samuel Stephen Burnett, also of Trumbull County, Ohio.
There are no claims for pension or bounty land on file based upon the military service in the Revolutionary War of a Thomas Gordon or Gorden, of Trumbull County, Ohio, or of a Colonel John Gordon or Gorden, also of that county, nor of a Samuel Stephen Burnett or a Samuel or Stephen Burnett. Such claims are the source of the data furnished by this office.
The record has been found of a John Gordon, who resided in Trumbull County, Ohio, and served in the Pennsylvania Troops as a private. That record is furnished you as it may be of assistance to you in your research, the data for which were obtained from the papers on file in Revolutionary War pension claim S.2477, based upon his military service in that war.
John Gordon was born March 17, 1760, in Ireland. The names of his parents are not shown.
While residing in Salisbury Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, John Gordon enlisted when about eighteen years of age, and served on several short tours as a private in Captain Slaymaker's Pennsylvania Company; length of this service not stated. He enlisted in April or May, 1781, served as a private under Lieutenant Buffington, Captain Slaymaker and William Skiles and Colonel Hubley in the Pennsylvania Troops and guarded prisoners at Lancaster Barracks; length of this service, six months and twenty-seven days.

John Gordon was allowed pension on his application executed March 20, 1833, while residing in Beardsman, Trumbull County, Ohio, where, he stated, he had lived since 1802.
There are no data as to soldier's family,
Very truly yours
G. H. SWEET Acting Executive Assistant to the Administrator.

Sutherland Vh. } March 27 th 1833
Free
Hon Lewis Cass Sec y of War
War Dept.
care of J. S. Edwards Chief Clerk Pension Office
Washington City
D. C.
24223 24 2 R e v e n u e
0. C o p i e s 

Sutherland Vh. } March 27 th 1833
Free
Hon Lewis Cass Sec y of War
War Dept.
care of J. L. Edwards Chief Clerk Pension Office
Washington City D. C.
24 22 33 24 24 24 22 33 24 24 24 22 33 24 24 24 22 33 24 24

October 14, 1932
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
John Gorden-S.2577 BA-J/REL
Miss S.E.Gordon 475, 1332 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W. Washington, D.C.
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request information in regard to John Gorden, a Revolutionary War pensioner, residing in Trumbull County, Ohio, in 1832.
The data furnished herein are obtained from the papers on file in Revolutionary War claim for pension, S. 2577, based upon the military service of John Gorden in that war.
John Gorden was born March 17, 1760, in Ireland.
While residing in Salisbury Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, he enlisted, when about eighteen years of age, and served several short tours as a private in Captain Slaymaker's Pennsylvania Company; length of this service not stated: he enlisted in April or May, 1781, served as a private under Lieutenant Buffington, Captains Slaymaker, and William Skiles and Colonel Hublay in the Pennsylvania Troops, and guarded prisoners at Lancaster Barracks, entire length of this service, six months and twenty-seven days.
He was allowed pension on his application executed March 20, 1833, while residing in Boardman, Trumbull County, Ohio, where, he stated, he had lived since 1802.
There are no data as to his family.
In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, the name and address of person paid, and possibly the date of death of the Revolutionary War pensioner, John Gorden, S.2577, you should address the Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, this city, citing all of the following data:
+ and all these officers in Pension VOL. 7 - Lancaster Co - had did not find John Gorden as serving under these. The name John Gorden under several spellings appears a member of times

John Gorden, Certificate No.13064, issued May 9, 1833, rate $23 per annum, commenced March 4, 1831, Act of June 7, 1832, Ohio (Pittsburgh) Agency.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Assistant to Administrator.

Mrs R Winnagle 285 Washington St N. W. Warren , Ohio
Feb 13 1936
Bureau of Pensions Dept of 1812 and Revolutionary Wars
Gentlemen ; Any information contained in your files on Thomas Gordon , who served in the Revolutionary war while a resident of Pennsylvania , and died in Lordstown , Trumbull County Ohio 1841 . , is much desired .
Also on Samuel Stephen Burnett , Revolutionary Soldier from New Jersey , who died in Trumbull County , date unknown.
If record on Thomas Gordon is not found, will you send me that on Col John Gordon ( John Gordon ) Revolutionary soldier from Pennsylvania , who also died in Trumbull County
Very Respectfully
Grace M Winnagle,

My dear Mrs. Finch:
Am visiting here from Missouri and looking up data for membership in D.A.R. a woman in the library of D.A.R. referred me to you.
Said ask for Record of my grandfather John Gordon , who was placed on pension roll, act of 1832 for Pa. service in the Rev. a resident of Trumbull Co. Ohio.
Now if you could give me some data on this. Will be very thankful. Being a visitor here do not know how to go into different bldgs.
Respectfully yours
Thanking you
Sophia E. Gordon.

Rev War
2577 INVALID.
File No. 2577
John Gordon Birt Rev War
Act: June 7  1832
Index:—Vol. A , Page 145
[Arrangement of 1870.]
John Gordon. Records of Jan 1804

1932- Oct 14 - Visit to Miss St. Gordon - ECH
1936. Mar 23 - Visit to Mrs R. Wm nagle - ECH